Means for heating and ventilating rooms, particularly school rooms and the like



Dec. 25, 1956 A R. R. GANNON 2,775,188

MEANS FOR HEATING AND VENTILATING ROOMS, PARTICULARLY SCHOOL ROOMS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 19. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l I NVEN TOR. @5552; Gwm/OM BY 5mm MAM A T'TRNEYS.

R. R. GANNON 2,775,188 MEANS FOR HEATING AND VENTILATING ROOMS, PARTICULARLY SCHOOL ROOMS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ta i N Z N 1 5A 5 73 Y rkw n Lm w i1 a 1 t .M .3 a ,f 6 a a 4 i z I m Q 1 uwwmp3 I m Dec. 25, 1956 Filed Nov. 19, 1952 awry INVENTOR. @5552 L Gimwav,

A T'TO RN E YS,

Dec. 25, 1956 R. R. GANNON 2,775,188

MEANS FOR HEATING AND VENTILATING ROOMS, PARTICULARLY SCHOOL ROOMS AND THE LIKE Filed Nqv. 19. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N V EN TOR. 125551. 1. E GZWA a/n mZWa aZ/M QTTORNEYS.

United States Patent MEANS FOR HEATING AND VENTILATING ROOMS, PARTICULARLY SCHOOL ROOMS AND THE LIKE 7 Russell R. Gannon, Cincinnati, Ohio Application November 19, 1952, Serial No. 321,461

1 Claim. (Cl. 98---38) This invention is directed to means for heating and ventilating rooms of all kinds but with particular emphasis on those in which there will be a number of persons for a considerable length of time, such as school rooms and the like.

This invention is related to the inventions disclosed in the copending applications Serial No. 167,803, now Patent Number 2,680,566 entitled Air Conditioning Apparatus System and Method, filed June .13, 1950, and Serial No. 184,961, entitled Method and Apparatus for Conditioning the Air Within a Closed Space, filed September 15, 1950. Certain of the features disclosed in these copending applications are also included in the apparatus and method of the instant application.

In application Serial No. 167,803 there is disclosed a method and means for conditioning the air within a closed space in which a principal feature involves the heating of return air only, fresh air introduced into the system being mixed with the heated return air in an area remote from the heating means. This principal is also adhered to in the instant invention.

Also, in application Serial No. 167,803, there is disclosed a general arrangement of a heating unit within a room, which arrangement includes locating the room thermostat and exhaust vent in particular places according to the position of the heating and ventilating means. It is to be understood that this arrangement may also be adhered to in utilizing the apparatus of the instant invention.

In application Serial No. l84,96l, there is disclosed a modification of the teachings of application Serial No. 167,803, in that in this latter application (Serial No. 184,961), there is disclosed a method and means for varying the aspect ratio of the air discharged from the unit into the room. Thus, in such application it is taught that it is better to discharge colder .air from the unit at a steeper angle of discharge, in a smaller stream and at a greater velocity than is done when warm air is discharged into the room from the unit. To as great an extent as possible, these principals have also been utilized in connection with the instant invention.

Itwill be understood that certain of the basic features above commented on which are disclosed herein as well "as in the copending applications referred to, if not claimed herein are claimed in the said copending applications.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a means for ventilating and heating the air within a closed space such as a room, which involves positive treatment of the relatively cold air layer normally existing adjacent thefloorof said room.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for takingcare of this cold air layer which are more or less automatic in operation and which do not depend directly on motor or thermostat control.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus employing auxiliary discharge ducts whereby a wider blanket of conditioned air may be effectively discharged from the apparatus into the room.

2,775,188 Patented Dec. 25, 1956 'ice Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus in which the air discharged therefrom may be forced to cover a large area even without the use of auxiliary ducts.

Another object of this invention is to provide air conditioning apparatus of the type described which will blend in nicely with other furniture normally found in school rooms, such as book cases and the like.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art during the course of the following description and from reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of certain of the apparatus of this invention,

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 but showing certain of the parts in different positions,

Figure 5 is a section taken on the .line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective View disclosing an arrangement of book cases and apparatus constructed according to this invention, and

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line '7-'7 of Figure 6. Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 there is disclosed a heating and ventilating unit generally indicated at 10 and reaching the heating element generally indicated at 17.

Such air is controlled in its movement within the unit by means of the partition 18 and damper 19. Heated return air flows by the damper 19 into the lower portion of the unit 10 where it is introduced within the lower housings 20.

Fresh air from the out of doors is supplied to the unit through a conduit 21 located in the building wall 13 and extending within the bottom of the unit itself. Entrance of the fresh air is controlled by a damper 22. It should be observed that in accordance with the teachings of the copending application Serial No. 167,803 above referred to, the fresh air is introduced into the unit at an area which is remote from the heating means which heats return air only. The heated return air and fresh air from the out of doors are mixed together withinthe lower portion of the unit and the area of the blower housings 20, with the result that the mixture of air is forced from the unit through the grill work 11.

The blowers may be of conventional type or of the type disclosed in the copending application mentioned above, and it will be observed that they may be operated by a motor 23 which drives the main blower shaft 24 through a belt connection 25. As seen in Figures 2 and 3 there is provided an air filter 2d beneath the blower housings 20, which filter helps define the area within which the fresh air and heated return air are mixed as above described.

The dampers 19 and 22 have been referred to. In addition to these dampers there is a damper 27 which controls the direction of air leaving the unit as well as the size of the stream in which this air leaves. Figure 3 illustrates the relative positions of the dampers 19, 22 and 27 during that portion of the heating and ventilating cycle wherein return air is being heated for discharge back into the room and wherein no fresh (or a minimum if and as prescribed by law) is being mixed therewith. It will be observed that the damper 19 is open and that the fresh air damper 22 is either closed or at its minimum position. Damper 27 is full open with the result that the air discharged from the unit leaves in the largest possible stream, such air stream rising substantially vertically along the window beneath which the unit is located.

In Figure 4 the dampers 19, 22 and 27 are shown in the position they assume during that part of the heating and ventilating cycle wherein a maximum of fresh air and a minimum of return air are being conditioned for discharge into the room. It will be observed that the fresh air damper 22 is open while the return air damper 19 is either closed or at a minimum position. It should be particularly noted that the damper 27 has so moved as to substantially lessen the size of the stream of air being discharged from the unit. It is quite important to the optimum operation of this unit that the colder the air being discharged from the unit, the smaller should be its size or aspect ratio. Thus, relatively hot air is discharged in a large stream of relatively slow velocity while relatively cold air is discharged in a small stream at a relatively high velocity. I have found that this relationship existing between the treatment of hot air and cold air is of great importance. In some instances I find it desirable to discharge the colder air at an angle which is steeper with respect to that assumed by the hot air stream. In this particular embodiment I have not adhered to this principle but even so I have found it to be of great benefit to discharge the colder air in a smaller stream and at a higher velocity.

The various dampers just discussed are controlled by means of a damper motor 28 which, it will be understood, is in turn regulated by the room thermostat (not shown). The various dampers are controlled through linkage 29, 30 and 31 as seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Auxiliary lengths 32, 33 and 34 are also employed. Such linkage will move the dampers 19, 22 and 27 through the range defined by the limits disclosed in Figures 3 and 4.

A distinct part of the present invention includes a damper 35 located towards the bottom of the unit and adapted to at least in part control the admission of return air into the unit. As mentioned earlier, one of the facets of this invention has to do with the disposal of that relatively cool layer of air ordinarily found adjacent the floor of the room being treated. Although I have found it desirable to admit a large portion of the return air into the unit near its top as indicated at in the figures, I have also found it very desirable to take off some of this lower layer of air by permitting it to enter the unit adjacent the bottom thereof. Accordingly I have provided a suitable opening 36 along the lower edge of the unit; to this end the unit may be constructed as shown in Figure 3 or it may simply have a vent placed along the front wall but at the bottom of the unit. It will be observed that the relatively cool return air which here enters the unit will be admitted into that part of the unit into which fresh air from the out of doors is admitted at certain intervals. Thus the filter 26 will also service this air.

The arrangement of the damper 35 and vent 36 is unique in that I control the position of the damper 35 by barometric principles rather than by a direct hook-up with the damper control motor 28. To this end the damper 35 is so hinged at 37 that it is quite responsive to pressure conditions within and without the unit. Its operation is as follows. When the dampers 19, 22 and 27 are in the position indicated in Figure 3, there is a stream of air which enters at 15, passes down through the unit and by the damper 19, into the blower housings and out through the grills 11. This path of travel will tend to create a negative pressure within the area of the unitdefined by the filter 26, dampers 22 and 35, and

4 bottom 38. This in turn will cause the air without the unit to tend to enter this area of low pressure and since the damper 35 is delicately pivoted at 37 the air without may enter through the opening 36 as the damper 35 will rise to the position shown in Figure 3. Thus, during that cycle in which most of the air discharged back into the room is comprised of return air which has been further heated, it will be observed that some of the layer of relatively cool air normally found adjacent floors will also be taken from the room, mixed with the heated return air just referred to, and discharged back into the room.

When, however, the dampers 19, 22 and 27 are moved to the position indicated in Figure 4, during which time the bulk of the air discharged into the room is comprised of fresh air from the out of doors, it will be observed that the damper 35 will assume its closed position. This is due to the fact that the damper 22 is open with the result that fresh air is discharged directly into that area of the unit defined by the filter 26, dampers 22 and 35, and floor 38. This means that there will be no negative pressure area created within that part of the unit just defined and, since the pressure on either side of the damper 35 will be substantially equal, the damper 35 will fall to its closed position by gravity. Thus, when it is desired to cool the room by introducing fresh air from the out of doors thereinto, cool air already in the room in the form of the cool air layer adjacent the floor will not be taken from the room. This, of course, enables the cooling of the room to be done more quickly.

It will be obsnved that the arrangement just described insures relatively quick heating and cooling of the room when necessary. Should the room get below a minimum desired temperature, a thermostat will place the damper motor 28 in operation and the damper will assume the position of Figure 3. At this time a maximum of the relatively cool air is taken out of the room at the areas 15 and 36, such air being heated and then returned to the room. Since air is taken in at both the areas 15 and 36, the cool air within the room is exhausted quite quickly. On the other hand, when the temperature of the air within the room tends to rise above a maximum desired point, fresh air is introduced into the room and none of the relatively cool air therewithin is removed, with the result that the temperature of the air within the room will quickly be brought ta the desired range.

It will be understood that in the operation of the system particularly described in connection with Figures 3 and 4, there will probably be a normal condition reached which is somewhere in between that shown in the figures. Thus it is probable that the damper 19 will close somewhat, the damper 22 will open somewhat, and the damper 27 will be moved to a position intermediate that shown in such figures. Along with this the barometric damper 35 will assume a position between that indicated in Figures 3 and 4.

Another feature of this invention is best seen in Figures 2 and 5. In some instances I prefer to use the unit 10 by itself rather than in connection with auxiliary ducts 39 which will be described later. When this is so I prefer to cause the air discharged from the unit to assume the maximum optimum pattern. This I have found to be that caused by arranging the individual members of the grill 11 in the manner indicated at 11a and 11b in Figures 2 and 5. By so arranging the grill work 11 I am able to get the air discharged from the unit to fan out as it leaves the unit. In this manner the blanket of air leaving the unit is caused to spread over a range greater than that defined by the lateral dimensions of the unit itself. As seen in Figure 5 it will be observed that a portion of the air is directed to one side of the unit, a portion of the air directed to the other side of the unit and the balance of the air permitted to rise substantially vertically from the unit. It should be pointed out that the make-up of the grill work 11 deter"- mines only the direction the air will take in the more or less vertical plane which parallels the window 14; the grill work 11 does not etfect the angle of discharge as determined by the damper 27 above discussed.

Also, in the type of unit just discussed, I find it dosirable to discharge a certain amount of the air from openings located at the sides of the unit as indicated at 40 and 41, see especially Figure 6. These openings are also indicated in Figures 3 and 4. Short ducts 42 and 43 Within the unit may be necessary to direct the air to the openings 40 and 41 respectively. By discharging air through the openings 40 and 41 located in the sides of the unit at the same time that air is discharged in the pattern defined by the grill members 11, 11a and 11b, I am able to achieve the best results possible with the unit of this type.

In some instances, however,, it has become the practice in building construction, particularly school buildings, to locate a plurality of book cases or the like 44 alongside the heating unit 10. Such an arrangement is generally indicated in Figure 6. When this is the case I have found it quite desirable to locate laterally extending ducts 39 in the openings 49 and 41, and to provide these ducts 39 with grill work 45 through which treated air may be discharged into the room. In this arrangement, air which normally would be discharged from the openings 40 and 41 directly into the room is directed into the conduits 39. Air within these conduits will then rise upwardly through the grill work 45. By this arrangernent I am able to obtain a blanket of discharged air along the full width of a set of windows 14 as indicated in Figure 6. This I have found to be very desirable.

As rather diagrammatically illustrated by the directional arrows shown in Figure 7, it will be understood that the ducts 39 may also be provided with dampers similar to that shown at 27 so that the aspect ratio of the air discharged from these ducts is made to correspond to that discharged from the main grill work 11 of the principal unit 10. Also, it will be understood that it is possible to employ a grill work such as shown in Figure 5 for each of the ducts 39 if desired.

It is to be further understood that modifications and changes may be made in my invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof, and while 1 have shown my invention as embodied in certain exemplary structure I do not intend to be limited by such structure except inso far as it is particularly set forth in the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and what I desire to protect by United States Letters Patent is:

A heating and ventilating unit having front, rear and side walls, a top and bottom; grill work in the front wall adjacent the top for receiving air from within the space in which the unit is located; means to heat the air received in said unit through said grill work, said heating means being located near the top of the unit; blower means in said unit beneath said heating means; a damper between said heating means and said blower means; a fresh air conduit in said unit below said blower means and leading to the out of doors; a damper for said conduit; grill work through which. air may be discharged from said unit as motivated by said blower means, said last mentioned grill work being located in said top adjacent said rear wall; a damper for said last mentioned grill work; a damper motor for controlling the posi tions of the said dampers, the third mentioned, discharge damper being towards its wide open position when the second mentioned, fresh air damper is towards its full closed position, said damper motor being responsive to a thermostat located within the said space; a vent located adjacent the front and bottom of said unit below said blower means, said vent and said fresh air conduit communicating with a common compartment located below said blower means; a damper for said vent, said damper being hinged so as to open said vent by suction in said compartment created by said blower means when said fresh air damper closes and to close said vent by gravity when said fresh air damper opens; and linkage connecting said damper motor with said first, second and third mentioned dampers only, said linkage being such that said third mentioned discharge damper and said first mentioned damper are moved towards their closed position when said second mentioned fresh air damper is moved towards its open position and vice versa so that when cold fresh air is being discharged from said unit such cold fresh air leaves in a relatively small stream having high velocity and when heated air is being discharged from said unit such heated air leaves in a relatively large stream having slow velocity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,626,172 Wolfe Apr. 26, 1927 1,971,173 Bennett et al. Aug. 21, 1934 2,159,219 Madden May 23, 1939 2,235,023 Komroff et a1 Mar. 18, 1941 2,235,500 Kitchen Mar. 18, 1941 2,261,852 Mathis Nov. 4, 1941 2,281,615 Peple May 5, 1942 2,284,161 McElgin May 26, 1942 2,363,294 Carrier Nov. 21. 1944 

